Blue Ridge Country May/June 2023 - BRPG18

virginia
blue ridge parkway
Gem
HIDDEN
MP 136-177.7
MP 213 | THE BLUE RIDGE MUSIC CENTER
BLUE RIDGE MUSIC CENTER FACEBOOK | MIKE DUNCAN PHOTOGRAPHY
biking, the Treetop Quest
aerial adventure course,
access to the Roanoke
River, disc golf and the
overnight stays. Choose
from yurts, bunkhouses or
teardrop-shaped pods for
a comfortable mountain
getaway, or bring your own
tent to take advantage
of riverside treehouse
platforms or other primitive
sites. Inside Explore Park is
the Twin Creek Brew Pub at
historic Brugh Tavern. It's
a restaurant and brewery
with al fresco options,
fire pits and live music
seasonally. The Tavern
itself dates to 1792 and
was moved from Botetourt
County to its current
location in 1998.
A Great Small Town
Nearby: Exit the parkway
at US 220 and drive south
18 BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
to Boones Mill for a stop at
Franklin County Distilleries,
one of the homes of legal
moonshine in infamously
wet Franklin County,
Virginia. After a flight,
continue south on 220 to a
left on Virginia 697 toward
Wirtz. Follow that road
for about five miles and
turn left on Virginia 122.
Your destination is about
a mile ahead: Homestead
Creamery. Legendary glass
bottles are filled to the brim
with rich chocolate milk,
lemonade and eggnog.
You'd be remiss to not take
some home, as well as
indulge in their homemade
ice cream.
136-177.7 (US 58)
This portion of the Blue
Ridge Parkway includes the
iconic Mabry Mill, the most
photographed site on the
entirety of the parkway.
Experience it and these
other top spots.
A Parkway Highlight:
One 1940 National Park
Service blueprint plan was
never realized, and no one
seems to know why. It can
be surmised that timing
was certainly a factor as all
park service projects were
halted during World War
II. Additionally, knowing
the plan was entitled
" Negro Area Development,
Pine Spur Park, " may be
a clue. The National Park
Service was integrated by
1950 and would not have
pursued the creation of a
segregated park, though
the amenities planned for
the area - a gas station
and restaurant - would
ON THE PARKWAY:
More than 200
species of spring
wildflowers can
be found along
the 11-mile Rock
Castle Gorge Loop.
Set off from the
trailhead at Rocky
Knob Campground
and keep an eye
peeled for Civilian
Conservation Corps
camp remains,
the Bare Rocks
boulder field, and
impressive displays
of rhododendrons.
You may also note
the remains of
homes as you trek
through. Lonely
chimneys seem to
stand watch for the
families who once
gathered around
their hearths.
Rock Castle Gorge
was home to 30
families at one
point in time. Their
community is said
to have included a
church, stores and
a pre-Prohibition
distillery.
have benefited humanity
in general. Picnic tables
have existed at Pine Spur
Overlook since 1941.
If you're toting a picnic
basket, it's a fine place to
unfold your spread and
enjoy the view.
Blue Ridge Country May/June 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country May/June 2023
